Reflexology is a complementary therapy in which the practitioner applies pressure with the thumbs and fingers to specific points on the feet, and sometimes the hands, face or ears. It is based on the idea that these points map to other parts of the body. That theory is not supported by scientific evidence, but many clients find the treatment deeply relaxing and use it regularly to manage stress and sleep.
A session begins with a consultation about health and lifestyle, then the client lies or reclines fully clothed except for shoes and socks while the reflexologist works through each foot for most of the session. Pressure is firm but should not hurt. It is offered in holistic centres, day spas and some hospices and cancer support services, where it is valued as a comforting, non-invasive therapy.
A 45 to 60-minute session costs around £40 to £65 outside London and £60 to £90 in London. Look for a practitioner with a Level 3 diploma who is a member of the Association of Reflexologists or registered with the CNHC. Reflexology is not a substitute for medical care, and practitioners should not claim to diagnose or cure conditions.
Mayfair, Knightsbridge and Chelsea are home to the five-star hotel spas, where a spa day with lunch is priced as a special occasion and weekend slots go weeks ahead. Shoreditch has led the city's bathhouse and social sauna boom, with hot–cold circuits in railway arches and on rooftops that open late and book by the ninety-minute session. Kensington and Paddington hold the established holistic clinics, combining acupuncture, osteopathy and reflexology under one roof, while Soho's studios run yoga, breathwork and sound baths from early morning to late evening.
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